Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Interested in aircraft, technology and solving practical problems?
Career changer
Thinking about a career change? Your next chapter could take off in aviation.
Aviation offers more career possibilities than you might think. But knowing where to start, and which path is right for you, can be the hardest part.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh challenge, want to develop new technical skills or are ready to turn an interest in aviation into a career, the first step is understanding what’s possible.
You don’t need an aviation background to get started. And you don’t need to have everything figured out.
Start with what interests you. Explore where your existing skills could take you. Then find the pathway that can help you move forward.
Aviation is bigger than you might think
Before choosing a course, explore the careers available across the industry.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has developed Broaden your horizons – Careers in aviation, covering careers across aircraft maintenance, piloting, drones, advanced air mobility, airport and ground operations, cabin crew, safety, air traffic control and other specialist aviation roles.
It’s a useful place to start if aviation interests you but you’re not yet sure where you fit.
What interests you?
Drones & emerging technology
Remote piloting, advanced air mobility and autonomous aviation.
Discover moreOperations & people
Airport operations, ground operations, logistics, cabin crew and other support roles.
Discover more
Find your starting point
Ready to explore a pathway?
Once you know what interests you, Aviation Australia can help you explore training opportunities in the areas we specialise in.
Piloting
Want to turn an interest in flying into something more?
Remote Piloting & Autonomous Technologies
Interested in drones, remotely piloted aircraft or emerging technology?
Bring your skills with you
Your experience could change where you start.
Changing careers doesn’t always mean starting from scratch.
Skills and qualifications developed through Defence, engineering, trades, technical occupations or other industries may provide a valuable foundation for a move into aviation.
Depending on your experience and the career you choose, there may be opportunities to recognise existing skills or identify a more targeted pathway towards your next outcome.
Transitioning from Defence?
Your Defence aviation or technical experience may be relevant to a civilian aviation pathway.
Depending on your background, options could include:
- Recognition of Prior Learning
- Recognition of relevant Defence aviation experience
- Civilian aircraft maintenance licensing pathways
- Gap training
- Exclusion removal
- Cross-category or sub-category pathways
- Additional training or assessment
The right pathway will depend on your existing qualifications and experience and the civilian outcome you want to achieve.
Not sure where to start?
Chat with Aviation Amy, our AI assistant. She's been carefully trained to guide you through your options and answer common questions. If she can't help, our Customer Experience team is always ready to assist.
Take your next step
Your experience still counts.
A career change doesn’t erase what you’ve already learned.
Problem-solving, technical skills, working with complex systems, teamwork, communication and leadership can all provide a strong foundation for your next career.
Some aviation roles require specific qualifications, licences, medical requirements or practical experience. Others may allow you to build on skills you already have.
The important thing is understanding where you are now, where you want to go and what’s required to get there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need aviation experience to get started?
Not necessarily. Some aviation training pathways are designed for people entering the industry, while others require previous experience or specific qualifications. Start by exploring the careers that interest you and the entry requirements for each pathway.
Can I change careers into aviation later in life?
Absolutely. People enter aviation at different stages of their working lives. Your existing skills, qualifications and professional experience may be valuable, although some roles require additional technical training, licences or industry-specific experience.
What aviation career is right for me?
That depends on your interests, skills and career goals. CASA’s Broaden your horizons – Careers in aviation guide is a useful starting point for exploring the range of occupations available. From there, research the requirements and training pathways for the roles that appeal to you.
Does Aviation Australia offer training for every aviation career?
No. Aviation Australia specialises in particular areas of aviation training. We encourage you to explore our course offerings to understand which pathways we support and whether they align with your career goals.
How do I know which qualifications or licences I need?
Requirements vary depending on the occupation. Some roles require specific qualifications, licences or medical assessments. Check the relevant course entry requirements and consult CASA for applicable licensing and regulatory information.
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